KR20030044762A - Method and system of network image scanning - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A method and system for scanning a network image are provided to scan an image and transmit the scanned image to a user computer. CONSTITUTION: A user site installs a virtual TWAIN driver. The virtual TWAIN driver is connected to one of scanners locally connected to a server. The user site generates an image file using scanning software that is general application software including a scanning function. The user site transmits TWAIN command from the scanning software to a local TWAIN driver of the scanner through a network. TWAIN code, image and other data are transmitted from the server to the user site through the network. The server receives image data from a local scanner to transmit the image through the network.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM OF NETWORK IMAGE SCANNING

The present invention relates to an image scanning method and system, and more particularly, to a method for scanning an image within a computer network in such a way that a scanner is connected to one computer on a network and another computer on the same network accesses the device. It is about.

The scanner as used in the present invention is a scanner itself, a digital camera, or any other device that can be connected to a computer and can transfer graphical images to the computer.

Scanners are usually supplied with software that enables the playback of graphical images. However, the known version of this software runs only one computer and a scanner connected thereto. Therefore, in order to enable network scanning, it is necessary to separately provide a computer network having facilities for sharing a scanner by multiple users.

Scanners or other image or document reading devices, such as, for example, fax machines (especially "System of Sequence Arrangement and Transmission of Facsimile Document" in WIPO Publication WO97 / 45999 [1] or "Facsimile in Publication 96/13790). The known technical solutions related to the sharing of System for Internet "[2]) do not contribute substantially to overcoming the problems described below.

One of the fundamental problems of network scanning is the complex, multi-step scanning process that involves evaluating the scanner facility, setting the scanning parameters and real scanning. Without the exclusive right to use the scanner, conflicts between interested parties are inevitable when one user enters commands that affect the scanning process initiated by another user. Thus, there is a need to solve the problem of "scanner occupancy" which allows a particular user exclusive access to the scanner for the scanning world. In Reference [2], a facsimile interface including a circuit for determining whether a fax machine state is "waiting" or "calling" is described, and the problem of occupancy is only partially solved. Regarding the remote control of scanning parameters, reference [1] refers only to remote control regarding the order of pages in documents with a large number of pages to be sent to a fax machine.

Another problem with network scanning occurs when the scanner is busy (in use) by another user for an indiscriminately long time period. No other user can access the scanner during this period. Therefore, there is a need to design a tool that breaks the connection between the first user and the scanner and transfers the opportunity to access this scanner to another user.

Another problem is related to the fact that in network scanning, the scanner can be positioned at a distance from the user. In controlling the scanning process from the user's computer, the user may face the need to insert a document into the scanner, initiate scanning from the computer and then pick up the scanned document. These operations mean at least redundant movement of the user from the computer to the scanner. Therefore, there is a problem of providing the user with the authority to set the scanning parameters, giving the user the authority to occupy the scanner from the user's computer, and having the next initialization of the scanning process from a server located in proximity to the scanner.

Another problem with network scanning is usually associated with the fact that the scanner is located beyond the scope of the user's field of view. Therefore, the user has difficulty in assessing the scanner condition. In contrast, in the case of a dedicated scanner, the status of the scanner can be confirmed visually or by a message provided by the operating system or local software. Therefore, the problem of alerting the user should be solved.

The technical solution described in the present invention aims to overcome the above-mentioned problems, and also aims to improve a method of scanning an image and transmitting the scanned image to a user computer in a network. The present invention,

There are no special requirements for the scanner except to install a driver that is compatible with the standard specifications;

During the scanning period, the user is allowed to access the scanner exclusively;

If the current user maintains the connection with the scanner without any execution for a certain period of time, the connection with the scanner is interrupted, which interruption allows other users to establish a connection with the scanner;

In the case of scanner pre-occupation by the user, the user has the authority to initialize the scanning process from the server;

All diagnostic messages for the scanning process can be accessed within the network. These results are achieved by the introduction of any sequence of operations executed on the user computer accessing the server computer connected to the scanner. In addition, these results are achieved by a particular configuration of the system including at least a server and user computers, a scanner and a communication line (network). For the normal functioning of the system, together with the components of the system, it is usually necessary to use the standard software supplied.

The scanner's virtual driver (virtual TWAIN driver) is used on the user's computer for interaction with the application program. Thus, the modus operandi application does not depend on whether the scanner is locally connected to the user's computer or whether the scanner is connected to a server to which the computer is connected within the network.

The virtual TWAIN driver is installed in a manner that interacts with a TWAIN server program installed on a server computer. In order to transfer TWAIN commands and diagnostic data and other data between the user computer and the server computer, the protocol described further herein is used.

The TWAIN server program on the server computer also interacts with the scanner's local TWAIN driver. With respect to the local TWAIN driver, the TWAIN server represents a user program.

Thus, a channel is formed, and TWAIN commands and data are transferred between the application program installed on the user computer on the channel and the local TWAIN driver installed on the server computer. Due to this kind of configuration, all messages about errors caused by local TWAIN drivers on the server computer are forwarded to the application on the user's computer.

The connection (session) channel between the virtual TWAIN driver on the user's computer and the TWAIN server on the server computer works by issuing a command to initiate an Image Input Device (IID). The command is sent by the application to the virtual TWAIN driver on the user's computer so that the TWAIN server on the server computer initiates the appropriate local IID. The connection (session) channel between the virtual TWAIN driver on the user's computer and the TWAIN server on the server computer is stopped (terminated) by issuing a command to terminate the IID. The command is sent by the application to the virtual TWAIN driver on the user's computer, thereby terminating the appropriate local IID.

While the connection (session) channel with the user's computer is active, the server computer is adjusted in such a way as to deny access by another user's computer. In general, the connection session continues until the user computer issues a command to terminate the session. Nevertheless, for more reasonable network usage rights, the server computer tuning scheme includes a parameter entry for the maximum idle period (timeout). If no commands are sent from the user's computer to the TWAIN server during this fixed time interval, the TWAIN server terminates the connection session with the user's computer independently and then terminates the appropriate local IID, giving them to themselves. The appropriate local IID can be initiated by providing the right to activate the connection channel of the, i.e. the right to start a session.

At some stage, when an application on the user's computer sends a command to the virtual TWAIN driver to start scanning, the virtual TWAIN driver displays a message "Ready to scan" on the screen and requests command confirmation by the user. At the same time, the TWAIN server on the server computer displays a similar message on the screen and waits for confirmation from the user. This confirmation may be from a user computer or a server computer, which initiates the scanning process.

The user has the authority to adjust parameters relating to scanning from the user's computer, then place the original in a scanner connected to the server computer, start scanning from the server computer, and clear the scanned original at the end of scanning. Thus, the problem of completely controlling the network device and the original by the user is solved, and the problem of the repetitive movement of the user from the user computer to the scanner is also excluded or minimized.

The system solution for the practical implementation of the network scanning method described above is subject to the inclusion of two or more computers connected by a local or global computer network. Some of these computers are connected to one or several IDDs (scanners, digital cameras, etc.). If these computers share these image input devices with other computers, they perform the function of a server. The other computer, which uses an image input device connected to the server and can be connected to the server via a computer network, is referred to as "user computer" or "user". The user computer can also access the IID, but unlike the server, these image input devices can only be accessed through these server computers.

The system described above allows the presence of an infinite number of user and server computers in a network. And, the same computer can be a user computer and at the same time a server computer. Thus, a user's computer may use the IID of another server, and when operating as a server, allow other user's computers to access their scanners. The interaction between these computers, indicating which computer becomes the user computer of which server, is determined by the configuration of the system and coordinated on each individual computer included in the system. The main distinguishing feature of the system described above is the establishment of a direct connection between the user computer and the IID controlled by any server computer at the hardware and software levels. An example of the operation configuration of the network scanning system is reproduced in FIG.

1 is a schematic diagram of a network scanning system configuration in which the system consists of a user computer and a server computer;

2 is a diagram showing a possible configuration example of a network scanning system.

3 is a diagram illustrating the interaction of program modules used in the system.

4 is a block diagram showing interaction between a user and a server.

Fig. 5 shows information on data exchange displayed on a user computer.

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing scanning preparation information displayed on a user computer.

Fig. 7 shows scanning preparation information displayed on a server computer.

8 shows information about a scanning state displayed on a user computer.

(Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawing)

1: user 2: server

3: scanner 4: digital camera

5: user # 16: user # 2

7: User # 38: Server # 1

9: server # 210: server-user

11: local scanner 12: scanner # 1

13: Scanner # 314: Scanner # 3

Line "A": Servers # 1 and # 2 are used by user # 1

Line "B": Local scanner and server # 2 used by user # 2

Line "C": "Server-User" uses Server # 1 and shares local scanner with User # 3

15: Scanning Software 16: IID Control Module

17: Configuration Module 18: Virtual TWAIN Driver

19: transfer module 20: scanner

21: Local TWAIN Driver 22: IID Control Module

23: Configuration Module 24: TWAIN Server

25: transmission module 26: command reception

27: Are all data valid?

28: Ready OK 29: Return

30: Connected? 31: Secure connection

32: Connection approval? 33: Message display

34: Prepare for a response (error) 35: Return

36: Package (batch) preparation of command data

37: Package (batch) transfer of command data

38: Will receive response 39: Will receive response?

40: prepare for response (error) 41: return

42: Decode response 43: Remember error code

44: response ready 45: return

46: Is the scanner in standby?

47: Idle timeout (timeout) for connecting with other users?

48: Ready for response (error) 49: Disconnect from other users

50: Generate parameter structure 51: Contact local TWAIN driver

52: Establishment of Connection? 53: OK

54: Error code request 55: Response (error) preparation

The invention is realized in a system consisting of several computers (at least two) connected by a local computer network or a global computer network and performing the functions of a user computer and / or a server. . (See FIG. 2) In this embodiment, for example, an image input device (IID) such as a scanner 12, 13, 14 and / or a digital camera is connected to the server computers 8, 9, and 10, respectively. (Camera is not shown in FIG. 2) User 6 is connected to an IID (local scanner 11). However, unlike a server, this IID only communicates with user 6 and can only be accessed by that computer.

As shown in Figure 2, the diagram allows for the presence of an infinite number of user and server computers in the network. Computer 10 can operate simultaneously as both a user computer and a server computer. In addition, computer 10 acting as a user computer can use the IID of another server, while computer 10 acting as a server provides its IID for use by another user computer. The interrelationship between these computers indicating which computers are user computers and which computers are server computers is determined by the system configuration that can be coordinated on each individual computer in the system. An example of a practical configuration of the network scanning system is shown in FIG. Outside the normal network (in this case, local), user computers 5, 6, and 7 send commands to any scanner connected to servers 8, 9, and 10 via temporarily activated communication (connection) channels A and B. In addition, information (diagnosis data and other data) can be received from the scanners 12, 13, and 14.

A diagram illustrating the interaction of program modules used in the system is shown in FIG. This diagram shows the software installed on the server, the IID TWAIN driver (TWAIN source) 21, the IID control module (TWAIN source manager) 22, the server scanning application (TWAIN server) 24, the transfer module ( Transport Module 25) and Server Configuration Program (Module 23).

The software installed on the user computer includes a virtual TWAIN driver (virtual TWAIN source) 18, an IID control module 16, a transfer module 19 and a user configuration program (module 17) and also any scanning application 15.

The IID TWAIN driver 21 is usually designed by a hardware manufacturer and is usually supplied to a scanner. This module is used for transforming TWAIN commands into IID control (management) commands, passing these commands to IID 20, receiving data from the IID, and delivering the received data to a requesting module.

The IID control module is part of the operating system. This component is responsible for the interaction between the scanning application and the TWAIN driver. In the present invention, this module is used on the server for the connection between the TWAIN server and the IID TWAIN driver, and also on the user's computer for the connection between the scanning application and the virtual TWAIN driver.

The server scanning application (TWAIN server) is used to form and execute TWAIN commands according to user needs, and to deliver results to users. In addition, the TWAIN server provides for fulfilling other user requests, in particular for the visualization of the graphical interface and for interrupting the scanning process. The TWAIN server is responsible for overseeing all connected users in order to disconnect users who are not addressed to the server within a predetermined timeout. Thereafter, the IID previously used by these users is accessible by other users.

The server configuration program allows the user to modify all servers within the user's computer by enabling or prohibiting all IIDs connected to the computer. In addition, this program is written for the purpose of adding, deleting and editing authorized IID user registrations. This denies IID access by unauthorized users.

User configuration programs are used to create virtual TWAIN drivers in the system. Each user configuration program is associated with an individual IID connected to either of the servers. The program provides a free choice of servers from a list of servers that are automatically retrieved from the local computer network, and provides a command of the server in the global network. In addition, the program provides free selection of IIDs from the list of image input devices that are directed or connected to the selected server. In addition, the program requires entry of identification information that allows the user to access the server IID. The program also allows you to select the IID that is enabled by default. Most external (standard) scanning programs use IID by default.

The virtual TWAIN driver is used for the purpose of forming an Inquiry required by the calling program and passing the query to the server according to the TWAIN command, and also receiving the results of the execution of these commands from the server and in the calling program. It is used for the purpose of including the results. In addition, the virtual TWAIN driver provides a graphical interface for handling the initialization and interruption of the scanning process and also provides for forming appropriate requests (commands) and passing them to the server.

The transmission module used in the above-described configuration is a transmission means of a data package (batches) between a user and a server in a computer network. This component provides user identification and reliably delivers data packages of arbitrary length without analyzing the contents of these packages. The transfer module is used on a server (TWAIN server) and also on a user's computer (virtual TWAIN driver).

By using the virtual TWAIN driver, having an external application that is compatible with the TWAIN specification and can scan an image without the involvement of the TWAIN driver for presentation of the user graphic interface at the time of selection of the scanning mode. An opportunity is provided for the realization of the present invention.

A block diagram for user / server interaction in the system is shown in FIG.

Before starting work, the software is controlled by standard configuration modules. Enable (enable) on the server. The mode of providing the user with access to the connected IID is enabled on the server. In addition, you need to create a registration record for users authorized to use the scanner. The record contains identification information (name and password). Each registered user has the right to use any IID connected to the server.

During the configuration of your computer, a new virtual TWAIN driver must be created that is attached to any of the IIDs connected to the server. In addition, a general distribution query is circulated within the local computer network in response to all currently accessible servers transmitting information about the image input device connected thereto. The above-mentioned conversation is performed by a transmission module that provides simultaneous query transmission (broadcasting), connection between the user and the server, and transmission of data.

The user can then select the server and image input device from the list. Direct entry of this server address (address TCP / IP, DNS name or other information rights connection) is provided for use with a scanner connected to a server other than the local computer network. Otherwise, it is provided when the server search fails due to a general query. In this case, the query is only addressed to the server. Upon receipt of the response, the user may also select an image input device from the list. At the end of the reconciliation process, the user enters his personal data (name and password) on the server to ensure his clear identity. As will be appreciated, the user's actual rights always occur before the work session. This information is used to create and register a new virtual TWAIN driver that will later be used to interact with the IID connected on the server in the operating system.

The scanning application interacts with the virtual TWAIN driver attached to one of the IIDs on the server, and also with the TWAIN driver on the local device. This is done by addressing the functions of the IID control module.

The IID control module also sends all calls (except directly addressed to this module) to the virtual TWAIN driver. From the point of view of the IID control module (and from the point of view of the scanning application), remote scanners can operate in the same way as the local scanner.

In very rare cases (for example, DG_CONTROL / DAT_IDENTITY / MSG_GET or DG_CONTROL / DAT_STATUS / MSG_GET), the virtual TWAIN driver executes the commands independently without addressing the server. This is possible due to the fact that during the configuration of the user's computer or during the execution of the previous commands all the necessary data has already been received from the server. In other cases, the virtual TWAIN driver typically establishes a connection with the server in DG_CONTROL / DAT_IDENTITY / MSG_OPENDS processing or uses an already established connection for command delivery. The process of establishing a connection also includes user authorization, which is performed by the transport module. Whenever the connection is not possible due to server inaccessibility or user access denied, the virtual TWAIN driver generates an error code and displays the appropriate message and returns control (management) functions to the calling application. Even when the connection is established successfully or when the connection has already been established, the driver transmits the command data package to the server by the transfer module.

The data package includes a triplet instruction and also contains all the important fields of the data parameter structure, if the TWAIN specification specifies it. And instead of empty files used for the purpose of receiving information from the scanner, only reference information (file size) to them is passed. This helps to minimize the amount of information conveyed. After the data package has been sent, the virtual TWAIN driver waits for feedback from the server for a predetermined period of time, and at the end of it, if no response is received, displays an appropriate message with an error code and indicates to the calling application. Return control (management).

The user transfer module 19 delivers the unmodified data package to the server. In turn, the server transmission module 25 having completed the reception of the data transfers them to the server scanning application program (TWAIN server). The presence of a dedicated transmission module allows the introduction of additional coding and / or compression of the transmitted data without altering other components of the present invention in the future.

After completing the reception of an address addressed to one of the input / output devices, the server scanning application (TWAIN server) checks whether the use of the appropriate device by another user (user 2) has ended. If not, the TWAIN server analyzes the time period that ended from the previous command point initiated by user 2 to the scanner. If the predetermined time period (timeout) has been exceeded, the TWAIN source will be terminated and the connection with user 2 will be forcibly disabled. If the timeout is not exceeded, the TWAIN will generate a "response error" even without an address to the IID control module. This mechanism is a simple way to handle collisions on the upper level with respect to the TWAIN subsystem. If the device is not in use by the user, the TWAIN server 24 forms a command and explicitly reconstructs the structure of its parameters from the received data package. And, if some fields contain reference to an empty file, these files will be created. This results in reproduction of the same parameter structure as the structure addressed to the user driver on the server. These parameter and command triplets are used by the TWAIN server to address the IID control module. In addressing to the IID control module (TWAIN source management program), the TWAIN server follows the TWAIN specification. Therefore, instructions entered by the user are processed in the same manner as similar instructions from other scanning applications.

If necessary, commands are passed to the TWAIN driver on any suitable device that cooperates with the IID. Upon completion of the command execution, the result returns to the server scanning application. In this step, depending on the instruction type, the content of the data structure transmitted as a parameter can be corrected, in which case the index is started in which the file is written or the newly created data structure is processed. Things.

The server scanning application forms a response data package that includes both a command execution result (feedback value) and a data structure (only if the data structure has been changed as a result of command execution). In addition, the TWAIN server analyzes the feedback value and, upon error, addresses the control module to obtain this error code. The error code is also included in the data package. This can prevent repetitive addressing to the server if an external scanning application on the user's computer requires this code. The response data package is transmitted by the transmission module on the server. After receiving the response, the virtual TWAIN driver populates the parameter data structure with the received information, and returns control to the received code for executing the command. The error code is stored for future use. If the command executed successfully is the command DG_CONTROL / DAT_IDENTITY / MSG_CLOSEDS, the virtual TWAIN driver will close the connection to the server. Judging from the above, the user is normally connected to the server from the moment when the instruction DG_CONTROL / DAT_IDENTITY / MSG_OPENDS is started to the end of processing, that is, the instruction DG_CONTROL / DAT_IDENTITY / MSG_CLOSEDS.

The above configuration for command processing has a general feature and does not depend on the type of command except for the amount of data sent from the user to the server and the amount of data sent from the server to the user. However, for easy monitoring and ease of use of scanning, the virtual TWAIN driver and server scanning application provide an essential user interface during this step.

Therefore, the virtual TWAIN driver displays information on the work process from the moment of connection with the server until the end of this connection. Then, upon receipt of a command to start scanning (DG_CONTROL / DAT_USERINTERFACE / MSG_ENABLEDS), the user has the authority to start scanning or stops from this step. Only after the user acknowledgment is received, the "Start Scanning" command is sent to the server. Stopping scanning involves an error code without an address to the server and results in the receipt of a feedback message.

Similar information is displayed on the server as "Start Scanning" with the same options for selection. This is done by sending a service command to the server, "indicate the start of scanning in the window." Thereafter, the virtual TWAIN driver periodically queries the server through a service command of "user selection", waiting for user input on the user computer or on the server computer. As soon as the user completes his selection on the server, the information window on the server is closed and the user can start working with the appropriate response, ie the procedure is the same as the selection on the user's computer. If the selection occurs at the user's computer, the service command "CLOSE START SCANNING WINDOW" is sent to the server.

During scanning (up to command DG_CONTROL / DAT_USERINTERFACE / MSG_DISABLEDS), the virtual TWAIN driver gives the user the right to stop the scanning process. In this case, the service command "INTERRUPT SCANNING" is addressed to the scanner, and as soon as it is processed, the server sends an appropriate message to the IID control module.

The user computer and server may perform functions not described herein by exchanging other service commands or appropriate responses.

The invention can be performed for image input from image input devices connected to computers operating in a local or global computer network. Implementation of the present invention allows an infinite number of remote users to access an image input device that is locally connected to a computer within the network. However, the image input device is used at once by a single user. Therefore, the use efficiency and convenience of the image input device are increased in use of the image input device.

Claims (27)

A network image scanning method comprising transferring an image in a data transmission network from an image input device connected to a primary computer in a data transmission network to a user computer or a user site, the method comprising: Registering a server access permission to receive an image in the network and to deliver the received image; Installing a virtual TWAIN server at the user site; Connecting the virtual TWAIN driver to any one of a scanner locally connected to the server; Generating an image file at the user site by scanning software, the general purpose application software including a scanning function; Sending a TWAIN command from scanning software at the user site over the network to a local TWAIN driver of the scanner; And And transmitting the obtained TWAIN code, image and other data from the server to the user site via the network. The method of claim 1, wherein as long as the server is accessible, the server can receive image data from a local scanner for subsequent retransmission of the image within the network. The method of claim 1, wherein the virtual TWAIN driver installation process is performed by: Selecting a specific server from a list of servers that can access a user computer or specifying an IP address of the server; Selecting a specific scanner from a list of scanners connected to the specific selection server; And And installing the virtual TWAIN driver at the user site, and connecting the virtual TWAIN driver to the selected specific server using the local TWAIN driver. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein user scanning software is used that provides image acquisition or generation by the installed virtual TWAIN driver. The method of claim 1, wherein the TWAIN command transfer process through the network comprises: After encoding the TWAIN instruction generated by the scanning software, sending the encoded TWAIN instruction from the user to the server; After decoding the received TWAIN command, addressing the necessary reference information for a suitable local TWAIN driver on the server. 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein during the TWAIN instruction encoding process, all TWAIN instructions generated by scanning software, including triplets and parameter structures, are converted into data packages (batchs) of variable length suitable for transmission in the network. Encoded. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein during the decoding of the TWAIN instruction, the received package is decoded and the parameter structure is constructed according to a TWAIN triplet, the structure being filled with the received data. The method of claim 1, wherein the obtained TWAIN code and the image and other data are transmitted. Encoding the obtained code and data returned by the local TWAIN driver of the server and transmitting them to the user; And Decoding the received obtained codes and data and transmitting them to the user scanning software. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the encoding of the obtained code and data comprises encoding the obtained code, data, and information about the error into a variable length data package suitable for transmission in the network if an error occurs. Method comprising a. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein decoding the received obtained code and data comprises decoding the received data package and filling the structure generated by the scanning software with the received data. How to. The method of claim 1, wherein the connection session is immediately stopped before the start of scanning to give the user time to prepare for scanning, and the server computer or the user computer is prompted to start scanning by the user. How to. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein while the connection session is suspended, the user is prompted by receiving a prompt message in response to a TWAIN command to begin scanning generated by the scanning software on the user's computer. Characterized in that it is intended to be received on a server or on a user site. The method of claim 1, wherein during the process of transferring image data from the server to the user, the user has the option to stop scanning. The method of claim 13, wherein the option to stop scanning comprises displaying an appropriate prompt on the user's computer, wherein if the user gives a command to stop scanning, the command is passed to the server. Upon receipt of this command by a server, said server stops the scanning process. A system for use for image scanning purposes, comprising a device for transferring an image from a scanner connected to a server within a data network to a user computer, the system comprising: Means for registering a server access permission to record an image in the network and to transmit the recorded image; Connection means for connecting any one of a virtual TWAIN driver installed at the user site on the user computer and scanners connected locally to the server with the virtual TWAIN driver; Scanning software on the user computer; Means for sending a TWAIN command from scanning software on the user computer over a network to a local TWAIN driver of the server; And And means for transferring the obtained TWAIN code and images and other data from the server to the computer in a network. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the means for registering server access permission comprises an apparatus for recording an image from a local scanner for subsequent transmission of the image within the network. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the apparatus for installing the virtual TWAIN driver on the user computer can select a specific server from a list of servers to which access is made or specify an IP address of the server; The apparatus for installing the virtual TWAIN driver on the user computer may select a specific scanner from a list of scanners connected to the selected specific server; And the apparatus for installing the virtual TWAIN driver on the user computer connects the selected concrete server connected to the selected scanner to the virtual TWAIN driver. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein means for conveying TWAIN instructions within the network encodes all TWAIN instructions generated by the scanning software and sends them from the user computer to the server, Means for delivering a TWAIN command within the network provides the necessary access to the appropriate local TWAIN driver on the server by performing decoding of the received TWAIN command. 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the means for delivering TWAIN instructions in the network encodes all TWAIN instructions generated by scanning software, including triplets and parameter structures, into variable length data packages suitable for transmission in the network. A system, characterized in that performing 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the means for conveying TWAIN instructions within the network performs decoding of the received data packages, placing parameter structures in accordance with TWAIN triplets, to populate these structures with the received data. System. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the means for transmitting the obtained TWAIN code and images and other data within the network encodes the obtained code and data returned by a local TWAIN driver on the server and sends them to the user site, Means for transmitting the obtained TWAIN code and images and other data in the network comprises performing decoding of the received obtained code and data and transmitting them to user scanning software. 22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the means for transmitting the obtained TWAIN code and images and other data in the network is variable length suitable for transmission in the network of the obtained code and data and information relating to the error if an error occurs. Encoding the data package of the method. 22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the means for transmitting the obtained TWAIN code and images and data in the network performs decoding of the received data package to fill the structure provided by the scanning software with the received data. System. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the means for transmitting the obtained TWAIN code, images and data within the network provides the user with an option to prepare for scanning and initiates scanning to give the server or user site a command to confirm the scanning. And means for immediately terminating the connection session previously. 16. The device of claim 15, wherein the means for transmitting the obtained TWAIN code, images and data in the network is either on the server or on the user's computer, either in case of stopping a connection session or in response to a TWAIN command. A user generated by the scanning software includes means for displaying a prompt to start scanning, And after the prompt is displayed, the user confirms such a prompt on either the server or the user's computer. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the means for transmitting the obtained TWAIN code and images and data in the network comprises means for providing the user with the right to stop scanning during image transfer from the server to the user. System characterized in that. 27. The method of claim 26, wherein when the user gives a command to stop scanning, the command goes to the server, and the server stops the scanning process upon receipt of the command, wherein the guide message indicating this situation is displayed. The system further comprises means for transmitting to.